When I click on a link it opens a new tab to a page I don't want (phishing). Often not always.

This usually happens from a search engine (google) but sometimes from within a web page. These are usually pages trying to sell something. It is very annoying and time consuming. I have uninstalled Firefox and reinstalled it.

This usually happens from a search engine (google) but sometimes from within a web page. These are usually pages trying to sell something. It is very annoying and time consuming. I have uninstalled Firefox and reinstalled it.

Chosen solution

Google has ad placements in it's web searches, perhaps you are clicking on an ad?

Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.

You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:

Question owner

For example:
I searched for the USGS earthquake site today. I clicked on the link provided with the Google search. It opened to a page advertising college degrees. I had to close that page and reclick on the link to open the page I wanted.

For example:
I searched for the USGS earthquake site today. I clicked on the link provided with the Google search. It opened to a page advertising college degrees. I had to close that page and reclick on the link to open the page I wanted.
This happens A LOT -- it just started 3 days ago.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/z90/2d18be89bf5847683cd2533595066ce0index.html
This is the page I get sent to most often.

Google has ad placements in it's web searches, perhaps you are clicking on an ad?
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Sometimes a problem with Firefox may be a result of malware installed on your computer, that you may not be aware of.
You can try these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software:
* [http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/default.aspx Microsoft Safety Scanner]
* [http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/ MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware]
* [http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208283363 TDSSKiller - AntiRootkit Utility]
* [http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro/ Hitman Pro]
* [http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner/ ESET Online Scanner]
[http://windows.microsoft.com/MSE Microsoft Security Essentials] is a good permanent antivirus for Windows 7/Vista/XP if you don't already have one.
Further information can be found in the [[Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware]] article.
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